Despite an acrimonious relationship that has often spilled into the courts, it appears that Apple and Samsung are once again working together to manufacture the next-generation Apple A-series processor. According to an unnamed Samsung official who spoke to ZDNet Korea, the manufacturing agreement is already signed and engineers from the two companies are working together to ramp up mass production.
Shipments of the Apple A8 processor are set to begin in the fall, coinciding with the expected launch of the iPhone 6 and perhaps a larger phablet model. It will be produced at Samsung’s Austin, Texas plant. That factory already manufactures the 64-bit A7 processor for the Apple iPhone 5S.
This reports contradicts earlier ones (some going back to mid-2013) that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) had taken over “most” of the production for the A8 processor. Apple has reportedly tried to distance itself from Samsung for its chip production for years now with rumours of such a move going back to 2011. It appears now that TSMC is still not able to meet the production volumes that Apple requires.
Sources : ZDNet Korea // Apple Insider